George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos Jr vs Jake ‘The Machine’ Wyllie
The blue touch paper has officially been lit in Sydney with a series of lively first face-off’s igniting Fight Week, sponsored by Riyadh Season.
Just days before they go head-to-head at the Qudos Bank Arena, former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion George Kambosos Jr stood toe-to-toe with Australia’s reigning Super Lightweight king Jake ‘The Machine’ Wyllie.
‘Ferocious’ Kambosos – kitted out in the famous blue of his native New South Wales – returned to a raucous reception at the Legends Gym, where he started his boxing journey as a kid in his hometown Sydney, with Wyllie entering the Lions’ Den wearing the claret of his State of Origin opposite number Queensland.
Kambosos Jr applauded 24-year-old dangerous rival Wyllie – whose record is 16-1, 15 KOs – for stepping in to the fight at under a week’s notice. But has warned: “This is no Rocky story.”
Kambosos Jr added: “I am ready to showcase all the hard work I have been putting in over the last three months, no matter who the opponent is.
“Victory is the only thing on my mind, no matter what, and it sets up my 140 pound World Title shot next. This ain’t a Rocky movie, so don’t get it twisted, there is no happy ending.
“A Ferocious statement is what you’ll see on Saturday night. Victory by any means.”
Wyllie admitted he hasn’t been able to wipe the smile off of his face since he swapped his tickets for Saturday’s showcase at the Qudos Bank Arena for a place in the main event, replacing initial opponent Daud Yordan.
“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of doing,” he said, speaking to Matchroom Boxing’s Jamie Ward.
“Ever since I got the call on Sunday night, I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face.
“To get this opportunity, I can’t thank Matchroom and Eddie Hearn enough. We had tickets to come and watch the fight and now we’re headlining it. It’s just funny how the world works. I’m so excited to be here and I’m ready to put on a great show.”
The first Face-Off’s kicked off the countdown to a blockbuster Fight Night Down Under this Saturday, March 22 – live worldwide on DAZN.
Reigning and defending WBC World Featherweight queen Skye Nicolson, meanwhile, met her mandatory Tiara Brown for the first time too with the pair involved in a heated exchange outside the Qudos Bank Arena.
Nicolson, however, was unfazed by the unbeaten American’s taunting after being told “her fans can’t fight for her”, responding by saying: “I think she’s nervous. She said she smelt fear… but so did Raven Chapman. So, we’ll see.”
The pair are ready to battle for the WBC special commissioned ‘Homecoming Belt’, marking undefeated champion Nicolson’s first title defence in her motherland which follows her historic Riyadh Season triumph last October.
And Cherneka Johnson will be hoping her WBA Bantamweight title stays on Aussie soil too this weekend, as she squares off with Britain’s Nina Hughes who she dethroned last May.
Last remaining tickets are on sale now for Saturday’s stacked card – featuring Australia’s 2024 Olympic Heavyweight sensation Teremoana Jr – at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, brought to you by Matchroom Boxing in partnership with DiBella Entertainment and Ferocious Promotions, and in association with Tasman Fighters and Goldstar.
